Human rights: A topic too controversial for mainstream education?

Abstract

Human rights education (HRE) is important for empowering people to stand up for their rights and for the rights of others. It is considered to be the most effective means of challenging widespread negative attitudes towards human rights by introducing learners to the relevant values and concepts at an early age. This article argues, however, that even teachers who may be inclined to teach in this area are often not doing so. Drawing upon empirical research, the article considers why teachers are hesitant about HRE by exploring their conceptions of human rights as too (i) controversial; (ii) abstract; or (iii) biased a subject for young learners. It is argued that to overcome these distorted ideas there needs to be (i) a cultural shift in the educational landscape to ensure that HRE is mainstreamed within state educational policy and (ii) improved teacher training on HRE.